Gas-lamp.



E. ,J. WIGGINS.

GAS LAMP. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 1, 1909 Patented Oct. 4, 1910.

l fin WM 2 W %TATE% PATENT FFIQE.

EDWARD J. WIGGINS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND IVIESNEAS- SIGNMENTS, TO KNU LIGHT HEAT AND POWER COMPANY, OF CHICAGO,ILLINOIS.

GAS-LAMP.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD J. WIGGINS, a

cit zen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cookand State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement inGas-Lamps, of which the following is a specification. This inventionrelates to improvements in illuminating devices and has for one of itsprincipal objects the provision of a gas lamp to which a constant supplyof illuminating gas is delivered and in which an ignition gas isemployed to obtain automatic initial ignition of the illuminating gas.

One of the special features of this invention consists in an improveddevice for con trolling admission of the ignition and illuminating gasesto the lamp, which, in the most improved embodiment, serves whenactuated for admission of the ignition gas to automatically admit theilluminating gas in predetermined timed relation with respect to theadmission of the ignition gas, and to thereafter automatically turn offthe lgnition gas.

A further object of this invention consists in an improved constructionwhereby the ignition gas serves to generate the requisite amount of heatnecessary in effecting combustion of the illuminant when the sameconsists of gases such for instance as hydrocarbon.

It is one of the principal objects of this invention to obtain automaticignition of the ignition gas by catalysis but under conditions wherereliance cannot be placed upon natural catalytic action taking place, anauxiliary catalytic agent, is employed to positively insure ignition.

The invention has other objects and features which will be more fullydescribed in connection with the accompanying drawing and will be moreparticularly pointed out and ascertained in the appended claims.

In the drawing :Figure 1 is a view in elevation illustrating a lampembodying the main features of my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional viewon line 22 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 33 of Fig. 2.Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the burner and the auxiliary catalyticagent. Fig. 5 is a Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 1, 1909.

Patented Get. a, 1910.

Serial No. 480,667.

detail view of a portion of the valve construction shown in Fig. 1.

Like numerals of reference designate similar parts throughout thedifferent figures of the drawing.

As shown in the drawing, the lamp is illustrated suspended from aceiling, the line of which is indicated at 1, but it will be understoodthat this precise form of the invention is not essential and that I donot wish to be limited to the construction shown except for suchlimitations as the claims import.

A support 2, secured in any desirable manner to the ceiling, is providedwith pipes 3 and at to which supply pipes 5 and (3, respectively,deliver. The supply pipes 5 and 6 may be connected in any manner to asuitable source of supply of the gases used. The supply pipe 5, in theconstruction shown, may connect with the source of sup ply of theignition gas and the supply pipe 6 with the source of supply ofilluminating gas. The pipe 3 extends downwardly to a horizontal andpreferably reduced extension '7, to the end of which is secured adischarge nipple 8 having an orifice 10, disposed and arranged in amanner to discharge into a mixing chamber formed by a tube 9. The pipe41 also extends downwardly to a relatively reduced extension 11, the endof which is provided with a discharge nipple 12, having a dischargeorifice 13, disposed in a manner to discharge into the mixing tube 9.

A suitably supported globe holder 14 is provided with the usual globescrews 15 for removably supporting the globe 16. The upper portion ofthe globe support 14 is entirely open so as to freely admit circulationof air and prevent the metal, of which the support is formed, fromtarnishing.

A burner 17 is provided and may consist of any suitable materialadapted, when subjected to heat, to quickly attain a state ofincandescence and emit an effective glow of light. In practice thefragile mantle known as the VVelsbach may be used and also that class ofmantles which are known in the trade as rag mantles and which are notpreviously formed or shaped and are collapsible, may also be used withgood results. By reason of the fact that the illuminating gas issupplied under pressure I am enabled to use what is commonly termed therag mantle and I thereby obtain a great saving in operation. The mantleor burner 17 may be secured to a mantle support 18 having spacedinwardly projecting extensions 19 arranged to register with spacesbetween lugs 20, on the mixing tube 9, and adapted to rest and besupported thereupon when the mantle support 13 is given a slight turn.At the mantle terminal the mixing tube 9 is provided with means forpreventing the burning gases frombacl: firing or receding rearwardlyinto the mix ing tube 9 and such means, as shown, is in the form of ascreen 21. This screen 21 is mounted in a support which consists of aring 22 adapted to be supported in the end of the mixing tube 9 in anydesirable manner, such as by threaded engagement.

In the form of lamp shown the same is designed for using gas suppliedunder pressure through the supply pipes 5 and 6 and in practice I havefound that the best results are obtained by using hydro-carbon gas, as apermanent illuminating gas, and methane or marsh gas, with an auxiliarycatalytic agent as an ignition gas, although it will be understood thatI do not wish to be limited to the use of these specific gases. Thefollowing description however will re fer to these specilic gases toillustrate one utility of the invention.

Initial ignition is obtained by catalysis resulting from the admissionof the methane or marsh gas to the atmosphere through the mixing tube 9,in contact with the auxiliary catalytic agent. The ignition of the marshgas serves to generate enough heat in the mixing chamber or tube 9 toeffect combustion of the hydro-carbon gas when the same is admitted tosaid chamber and the requisite temperature of the parts is subsequentlymaintained by the combustion of the hydrocarbon gas itself. The ignitedilluminating gas heats the mantle or burner 17 in the usual manner untilthe same attains a state of incandescence and transmits light throughthe globe 16.

lVhile the catalytic action of methane gas will produce initial ignitionunder some atinitially ignite with absolute certainty. In order topromote initial ignition of the methane gas and positively insure theautomatic lighting of the lamp I desirably employ an auxiliary catalyticagent which may consist in coating the ring 22 with black or spongyplatinum containing tripoli, or like material, so that when the methanegas reaches the ring 22 it will be instantly ignited, irrespective ofthe conditions under which the lamp is used. It will be understood thatI do not wish to be limited to coating the ring 22 as the ring itselfmay consist of a catalytic agent upon which the methane gas willchemically act in a manner to result in ignition.

This invention includes an improved controlling device for admitting theself igniting and illuminating gases to the mixing chamber and onespecific embodiment of said device will now be described in detail.

The pipe 3 is provided with a valve 23 op erated by a valve member 2 1,which may be in the form of a lever. The valve member 24: may beprovided with a chain and ball 25 and 26, respectively, by means ofwhich it may be operated in the usual manner. As shown a spring 27 isconnected with the valve member 24C and with a suitable stationary part,as at 28, and normally holds the valve in a closed position. A retarderis provided for resisting closing movement of the valve, under theaction of the spring 27 and as shown said retarder may consist of acylinder 29 open at the bottom and provided with .an air vent '30. Saidcylinder may be suspended from any suitable stationary part, asindicated at 31. A piston 32 is disposed in said cylinder and isprovided with a rod 33 connected with the member 2d. When a pull isexerted upon the ball 26, and the valve is opened the piston 32 will bemoved toward the bottom of the cylinder 29 and the spring 27 willimmediately act to return the member 2a and the valve, to a closingposition. The air vent 30 will be so proportioned as to retard egress ofthe air and limit. closing movement of the valve 23 to the desiredextent. is stop 23" limits movement of the member 2st toward a closedposition. valve 34 controllable by a valve member 35, preferably in theform of a lever, provided on its end with a ball and chain 36 and 37,respectively. A stop 38 serves to limit movement of the valve member 35toward a closing position, in which position said member is shown inFig. 1.

The valves 23 and 34: are so arranged that when the ball 26 is pulleddownwardly the valve 23 will be opened and when the ball 36 is pulleddownwardly the valve Set will be closed. Said valves 23 and 3d are alsooperatively associated with each other in such The pipe 1 is providedwith a manner that when the valve 23 is attaining a. closing position itwill automatically open the valve 34 and such operative relation is soarranged that after the valve 34 has been opened, the said valves willbe automatically disengaged with respect to each other so that the valve34 can be subsequently closed without in any way altering the adjustmentof the valve 23. The function of the valves and their operativeconnection with each other is to admit the ignition gas to effectinitial ignition and generate a sufficient de gree of heat in the mixingtube 9, and to subsequently open the valve 34 automatically, preferablyduring closing movement of the valve 23, to effect admission of theilluminating gas.

Referring specifically to the construction shown, the valve member 24 isprovided with an extension 39 having a cam face 40. The alve member 35is provided with an extension 41 having a hollow or socketed terminal inwhich a stem 42 of a spring actuated lug 43 is disposed. A pin and slotconnection 44 and 45, respectively, serves to limit outward movement ofthe lug 43 under the action of spring 42. When the extension 39 of themember 24 is raised, the cam face 40 will engage the lug 43 and causethe same to recede in its mounting to allow the extension 39 to freelypass into a full opening position, the stop 38 preventing movement ofthe member 35 in a clockwise direction. When the extension 39 travelsdownwardly, under the action of the spring 527, the lower portion 46will engage the lug 43 and depress the same thereby swinging the righthand end of member 35 upwardly and opening the valve 34. This engagementbetween the extension 39 and the lug 43 will be released just prior tothe attainment of the position shown in Fig. 1, by the member 24,thereby leaving the member 35 freely open as shown in dotted lines.During this operation the ignition gas will first have been admitted tothe burner and will have become automatically ignited to heat the mixingtube 9 and during the slow closing of the valve 23 the valve 34 willhave been opened, gradually, allowing the illuminat- .ing gas to enterthe mixing tube 9 and ignite for the purpose of heating the burner 17 inthe usual way.

It will thus be seen that by depressing the ball 26 the lamp will belighted and that by depressing the ball 36 the lamp will be eX-tinguished and that by means of the construction shown the valve 23canonly be opened for a limited period of time.

I claim 1. In a gas lamp, adjacent fuel pipes, a valve in one of saidpipes adapted to control the flow of fuel, an independent valve in theother of said pipes adapted to control the flow of fuel, meanspermitting the opening of the first-mentioned valve without affectingthe other valve, mechanical means tending to close the last-mentionedvalve, and means whereby the closing of said last-men tioned valve opensthe first-mentioned valve.

2. In a gas lamp, a pipe adapted to supply illuminating gas, an adjacentpipe adapted to supply ignition gas, independent valves adapted tocontrol the flow of gas through said pipes, means whereby the valvecontrolling the flow of ignition gas may be opened without affecting theother valve, means for closing the ignition valve, and means whereby theclosure of the ignition valve opens the illuminating valve.

3. In a gas lamp, a pipe adapted to supply an illuminating gas, an adjacent pipe adapted to supply ignition gas, valves located one in each ofsaid pipes, means whereby the illuminating valve may be closedindependently of the ignition valve, means whereby the ignition valvemay be opened without affecting the illuminating valve, means adapted toclose the ignition valve, means to retard the closing of such ignitionvalve, and means whereby the closure of the ignition valve automaticallyopens the illuminating valve.

4. In a gas lamp, a pipe adapted to supply an illuminating gas, anadjacent pipe adapted to supply an ignition gas, valves located one ineach of said pipes, oppositely directed levers adapted to control thevalves, means whereby the illuminating valve may be closed withoutaffecting the ignition valve, means whereby the ignition valve may beopened without affecting the illuminating valve, means adapted to closethe ignition valve, means to retard the closing of the ignition valveand means whereby the lever of the ignition valve in closing engages thelever of the illuminating valve and opens such illuminating valve.

In a gas lamp, a pipe adapted to supply an illuminating gas, an adjacentpipe adapted to supply an ignition gas, valves located in each of saidpipes, oppositely directed levers adapted to control the alves, ayielding extremity formed upon the end of one of the levers, means atthe end of the other lever adapted to pass by the yielding end of thefirst mentioned lever whereby the ignition valve may be opened withoutaffecting the illuminating valve, means adapted to close the ignitionvalve, means to retard the closing of the ignition valve, and alsoarranged so that as the ignition valve closes under the impulse of theclosing means the yielding end is engaged and the illuminating valveopened.

(5. In a gas lamp, a pipe adapted to supply an illuminating gas, anadjacent pipe adapted to supply ignition gas, valves 10- Withoutaiiecting the illuminating valve and whereby the closure of the ignitionvalve automatically opens the illuminating valve.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

EDWVARD J. WVIGGINS.

cated one in each of said pipes, levers adapted to control the valves,one of said levers being provided With a member slidable longitudinallyinto the end thereof, and the 5 other lever being provided with a camface adapted to pass by such yielding end in one direction, the saidyielding end and cam end providing means whereby the illuminating valvemay be closed independently of 0 the ignition valve, the ignition valveopened lVit-nesses:

THOMAS E. LANNEN, THEODORE H. SCHWIER.

